Imaging apparatus, user interface and associated methodology for a co-existent shooting and reproduction mode

ABSTRACT

A currently captured image R of an object is displayed nearly at a center portion of a display frame SC on a display screen that is a shooting mode. When a time dial  22  is rotated for one step in the counterclockwise direction, the currently captured image R is moved rightward. A reproduced image PI captured before the currently captured image R is displayed on the left thereof. A reproduced image P 2  captured before the reproduced image PI is displayed on the left thereof. The currently captured image R and the reproduced images PI and P 2  are displayed at the same time on a display screen ST 2  as a co-existent state of a shooting mode and a reproducing mode. When the time dial  22  is rotated for one step in the counterclockwise direction, only the reproduced images PI to P 4  are displayed on a display screen that is a reproducing mode. As a plurality of reproduced image, the reproduced images PI to P 4  are displayed along a time axis.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 121,750,179,filed on Mar. 30, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.No. 111,568,810, filed Nov. 8, 2006, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference. U.S. application Ser. No. 111,568,810is the National Stage of PCT/JP05108658 filed May 2, 2005 and is basedupon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese PatentApplication No, 2004-143439, filed May 13, 2004, and Japanese PatentApplication No. 2004-143438, filed May 13, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a screendisplaying method, and a user interface that allow transitions between ashooting mode and a reproducing mode to smoothly take place.

BACKGROUND ART

Digital cameras that have a displaying device for example an LCD (LiquidCrystal Display) with a relatively large screen have been widespread.When an object is shot, the LCD is used to set a composition, an angleof view, and so forth. In addition, when a recorded image is reproduced,the LCD is used to display the reproduced image.

An electronic camera that can shoot moving images and still images andthat can display them in the order of days, months, and years of whichthey were shot along a time axis is described in the specification ofJapanese Patent No. 303324. The digital camera described in the documentdisplays captured images so that they can be easily searched for animage to be reproduced.

The conventional digital camera needed an operation of an input deviceto switch a mode between a shooting mode and a reproducing mode. As aresult, since the shooting mode and the reproducing mode were separated,for example it was difficult for the user to shoot an image whilechecking an image that has been just captured. It is preferred that auser interface of a digital camera be predictable and intuitional by aplurality of users. It can be said that such an interface has anaffinity with a user's conceptual model. The electronic camera describedin the specification of Japanese Patent No. 3403324 deals with onlyimages that were captured. Thus, the specification does not mention animage captured in the shooting mode. The specification does not mentionthat modes are switched having an affinity with the user's conceptualmodel.

In addition, when a recorded image needed to be deleted, after theshooting mode was switched to the reproducing mode, the recorded imageneeded to be deleted. Thus, the operability of the digital camera wasnot good.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an imagingapparatus, a screen displaying method, and a user interface that allow ashooting mode and a reproducing mode to be switched having an affinitywith a seamless conceptual model and thereby their operability to beimproved.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an imagingapparatus, a screen displaying method, and a user interface that allow ashooting mode and a reproducing mode to co-exist and thereby theiroperability to be improved.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

To solve the foregoing problem, a first aspect of the present inventionis an imaging apparatus, comprising: an imaging unit; a display; astorage which temporarily stores an image signal which is output fromthe imaging unit and an image signal which is output to the display; aninput unit which accepts an operation input of a user; and a controlunit which controls writing and reading of the storage,

wherein the control unit controls the storage so that a first imagesignal as an image signal of an object which the imaging unit iscurrently capturing and a second image signal which has been alreadycaptured are successively displayed along a time axis on the display,and

wherein the control unit controls the storage so that transitions fromone of a shooting mode in which the first image signal is displayed onthe display and a reproducing mode in which only the second image signalis displayed on the display to the other seamlessly take place accordingto an operation input from the input unit.

A second aspect of the present invention is a screen displaying methodof displaying image signals for an imaging apparatus having a display,the method comprising the steps of: displaying a first image signalwhich is an image signal of an object which an imaging unit is currentlycapturing on the display when a shooting mode takes place; displayingonly a second image signal which has been already captured on thedisplay when a reproducing mode takes place; and causing transitionsfrom one mode of the shooting mode and the reproducing mode to the othermode to seamlessly take place according to an operation input.

A third aspect of the present invention is a user interface for animaging apparatus, comprising: a display; an input unit which isoperable in at least two directions; a shooting mode in which a firstimage signal as an image of an object which an imaging unit is currentlycapturing is displayed on the display; and a reproducing mode in whichonly a second image signal which has been already captured is displayedon the display,

wherein transitions from one mode of the shooting mode and thereproducing mode to the other mode seamlessly take place according tothe directions of the operation of the input unit.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is an imaging apparatus,comprising: an imaging unit; a display; a storage which temporarilystores an image signal which is output from the imaging unit and animage signal which is output to the display; an input unit which acceptsan operation input of a user; and a control unit which controls writingand reading of the storage,

wherein the control unit controls the storage so that a first imagesignal as an image signal of an object which the imaging unit iscurrently capturing and a second image signal which has been alreadycaptured are displayed at the same time, but the first image signal andthe second image signal do not overlap.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is an image signal displayingmethod for an imaging apparatus having a display, comprising the stepof:

displaying a first image signal as an image signal of an object which animaging unit is currently capturing and a second image signal which hasbeen already captured at the same time so the first image signal and thesecond image signal do not overlap.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is a user interface for animaging apparatus having a display,

wherein a first image signal as an image signal of an object which animaging unit is currently capturing and a second image signal which hasbeen already captured at the same time are displayed so the first imagesignal and the second image signal do not overlap.

According to the present invention, regardless of whether the currentmode is the shooting mode or the reproducing mode, folders can beswitched using direction keys. In addition, with up and down keys ofdirectional keys or left and right keys thereof, folders or image filesare switched. Thus, folders and image files can be switched in the samemanner as a film changing operation and a film feeding operation. Sincefolders can be directly switched, their operations can be simplified.

In addition, according to the present invention, since ax image that isbeing currently captured (this image may be hereinafter referred to as acurrently captured image) and an image that has been capturedimmediately after the currently captured image and that has been recoded(this image may be hereinafter referred to as a recoded image) aredisplayed at the same time, while the recorded image is being observed,a newly shot object, its composition, and so forth can be decided. Inaddition, according to the present invention, since the shooting modeand the reproducing mode co-exist, the modes can be seamlessly switched.In addition, while an image is being captured, a recorded image can bedeleted without need to switch the modes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of an imaging apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict top and front views of a digital camera,respectively, having a time dial according to an aspect of the presentprinciples.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram describing an arrangement of images alonga time axis according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A shows a view of the camera liquid crystal display screen (LCD)with a currently captured image; FIG. 4B shows internally storedon-screen display data (OSD) for previously captured images; and FIG. 4Cshows a combination of the OSD data for the previously captured imagestogether with the currently captured image.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C depict schematic diagrams showing transitions ofdisplay screens on a wide LCD When modes are switched.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing transitions of operations when modes areswitched.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, and 7E depict schematic diagrams showinganimations of transitions of display screens on the wide LCD when modesare switched.

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C depict schematic diagrams showing transitions ofdisplay screens on the wide LCD when a shutter button is pressed

FIGS. 9A and 9B depict schematic diagrams showing transitions of displayscreens on the wide LCD when a deleting operation is performed with adelete button.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, and 10F depict schematic diagramsdescribing switching of modes and transitions of display screens with across key as an operation key according to the embodiment.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, and 11E depict schematic diagrams describing aprocess of enlarging a selected reproduced image and displaying it inthe reproducing mode.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D and 12E depict schematic diagrams describing aprocess of reducing a selected reproduced image and displaying it in thereproducing mode.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C depict schematic diagrams showing transitions ofdisplay screens on an LCD having an aspect ratio of (4:3) when modes areswitched.

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, and 14E depict schematic diagrams showinganimations of transitions of display screens on the LCD having theaspect ratio of (4:3) when modes are switched.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Next, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of thepresent invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows an example of astructure of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. In FIG. I, a block surrounded by dotted lines is a processingunit controlled by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1.

The processing unit 1 is composed of an internal record medium 3, forexample a RAM, an image processing unit 4, an external interface 5, anROB processing unit 6, a signal processing unit 7, and a video outputprocessing unit 8. An operating unit 9 is connected to the CPU 2.Signals corresponding to operations for a shutter and so forth disposedon the operating unit 9 are supplied to the CPU 2.

Data of which an image signal has been compressed according to forexample JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) are recorded to anexternal record medium 11 through a media processing unit 10. Theexternal record medium 11 is an optical disc, a memory card, or the likeon which data can be written.

An image signal captured by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 12 that is animage sensor is supplied to the signal processing unit 7. The signalprocessing unit 7 processes the captured image signal. The signalprocessing unit 7 outputs the image signal captured by the CCD 12regardless of an input from the operating unit 9. The captured imagesignal is stored in the internal record medium 3. While an object isbeing captured, an image stored in the internal record medium 3 isusually updated. Data writing, data reading, and so forth for theinternal record medium 3 are controlled by the CPU 2.

The captured image signal is supplied from the internal record medium 3to the RGB processing unit 6 through the signal processing unit 7. Adisplay image signal formed by the ROB processing unit 6 is supplied toan LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 13 that is a display unit. For example,the LCD 13 is disposed on the rear surface of the camera body. Not onlyan image signal captured by the CCD 12 and an image signal that is readfrom the external record medium 11 through the media processing unit 10are displayed on the LCD 13.

When the shutter of the operating unit 9 is pressed, the image signalstored in the internal record medium 3 is converted into for example aJPEG image file by the image processing unit 4. The image file is storedas data different from a captured image signal to the internal recordmedium 3. The image file that is read from the internal record medium 3is stored in the external record medium 11 through the media processingunit 10.

A captured image is always updated and displayed on the LCD 13. Thecaptured image and OSD data such as a reduced image of recorded imagedata and icons are combined by the signal processing unit 7 anddisplayed on the LCD 13. The OSD (On Screen Display) is a general termthat denotes a memory area and a mechanism that prepare data of iconsand so forth that are combined with a real time image captured by thecamera.

When OSO data are generated, latest image data recorded on the externalrecord medium 11 are obtained. The image processing unit 4 converts theobtained image data into image data corresponding to a size of the OSD.The converted image data are stored in an OSD display area of theinternal record medium 3. When an OSD display size image correspondingto an image that has been just captured is stored in the internal recordmedium 3, it is not necessary to read data from the external recordmedium 11. The image processing unit 4 is controlled by the CPU 2 sothat the image processing unit 4 performs an enlarging or reducingprocess for an image to be displayed corresponding to user's operationsfor keys and so forth on the operating unit 9.

An analog color video signal is supplied from the video outputprocessing unit 8 and extracted from a video output terminal (notshown). When an external monitor 14 is connected to the video outputterminal, an image stored in the internal record medium 3 or theexternal record medium 11 can be displayed on the external monitor 14.In addition, for example a printer 15 is connected to the externalinterface 5. The printer 15 can print an image.

The operating unit 9 includes a time axis operation dial. FIG. 2A showsan example of the time axis operation dial. A time axis operation dial22 a slightly protrudes from a rear surface and a side surface of acamera body 21. In an example shown in FIG. 2B, a time axis operationdial 22 b is disposed on a top surface of the camera body 21.

The time axis operation dials 22 a and 22 b have the same shape andsense of operation as a windup dial of a sliver salt film camera. Inother words, the time axis operation dials 22 a and 22 b can be rotatedfor a predetermined amount in each step. Viewed from the top surface ofthe camera body 21, the time axis operation dials 22 a and 22 b can berotated in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction.In the following description, the time axis operation dials 22 a and 22b are generally referred to as the time dial 22.

Instead of the dial, the time axis may be operated by an input devicesuch as a cross key, a roller, a track ball, a touch panel, or the like.When edge portions of a cross shape operation portion of the cross key(these edge portions are referred to as a left button, a right button,an up button, and a down button) are pressed, moving directions of thecursor are designated to upward, downward, leftward, and right ward,respectively. The time dial 22 is not limited to a mechanical structure.Instead, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that operates buttons or thelike on the display screen may be used.

FIG. 3 describes images displayed on the LCD 13 according to theembodiment. Reference letter R denotes an image that is currently beingcaptured (hereinafter this image may be referred to as a currentlycaptured image). Reference letter P denotes an image that has beencaptured and that is reproduced in the reproducing mode (thereinafterthis image may be referred to as a reproduced image). The currentlycaptured image R is followed by reproduced images PI, P2, P3, and soforth and arranged along the time axis. In FIG. 3, the right directiondenotes a direction from the past to the present on the time axis,whereas the left direction denotes a direction from the present to thepast on the time axis.

The LCD 13 may be either an LCD having an aspect ratio of 4 to 3 or awide LCD having an aspect ratio of for example 16 to 9. in FIG. 3,reference letter SC denotes a display frame for the wide LCD. In thiscase, the currently captured image R and the reproduced images PI and P2are displayed at the same time. As will be described later, whenever thetime dial 22 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction viewed fromthe top surface of the camera body 21, the time axis is varied from thepresent to the past.

To easily distinguish the currently captured image R from the reproducedimage P, the size of the currently captured image R is larger than thatof the reproduced image P. Instead, with different shape icons added tothe currently captured image R and the reproduced image P, they may bedistinguished.

FIG. 4 schematically shows display data that form images displayed onthe LCD 13 and that are stored in the internal record medium 3. Thecurrently captured image R shown in FIG. 4A is stored in the internalrecord medium 3. During the shooting mode, even if the operating unit 9is not operated, the currently captured image R is updated at intervalsof a frame or the like.

FIG. 4B shows OSD data that are stored in the internal record medium 3besides the currently captured data R. The OSD data are data of iconscombined with the currently captured data R. According to the embodimentof the present invention, the reproduced images PI and P2 of a pluralityof recently recorded images are stored in a storage area MC of theinternal record medium 3 corresponding to the display frame SC. Thereproduced image data PI and P2 are read from the external record medium11, decoded and size reduced by the image processing unit 4, and thenstored in the internal record medium 3. When there are OSO display sizeimages corresponding to images that have been just captured, it is notnecessary to read data from the external record medium 11.

The size of the reproduced images PI and P2 is smaller than that of thecurrently captured image R. Depending on the size of the image, the typethereof can be identified. The OSD data contain an icon 31 thatindicates a currently captured image and an icon 32 that indicates areproduced image. With these icons 31 and 32, the user can easilyidentify the types of the images. In the following description,illustrations of the icons 31 and 32 will be omitted. The OSD data maybe composed of data having a plurality of hierarchical levels. As shownin FIG. 4C, the currently captured image R and the OSD data are combinedand displayed on the wide type LCD 13.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 5A-5C, transitions of display screens thattake place when modes are switched will be described. In an exampleshown in FIG. 5A, the display frame SC of the LCD 13 disposed on therear surface of the digital camera is a wide type LCD having an aspectratio of for example (16:9). FIG. 5A denotes a display screen thatappears in a shooting mode. An image R of an object currently capturedthrough a lens is displayed nearly at a center portion of the displayframe SC. In the shooting mode, when a shutter button 24 is pressed, theobject can be shot.

A plurality of keys, buttons, and so forth are disposed on the rearsurface of the digital camera. They are for example a menu button 25 anda delete button 26.

When the time dial 22 is rotated with the thumb or the like of the userfor one step in the counterclockwise direction viewed from the topsurface of the camera body 21, the currently captured image R is movedrightward. The reproduced image PI that has been just captured andobtained is displayed on the left of the currently captured image R. Thereproduced image P2 captured before the reproduced image PI is displayedon the left thereof. The display screen depicted in FIG. 5B illustratesthe currently captured image R and the reproduced images PI and P2displayed at the same time is a co-existent state of the shooting modeand the reproducing mode. While the user is watching an image that hasbeen just captured, he or she can decide a composition and so forth ofan image that he or she will shoot.

When the time dial 22 is rotated for one more step in thecounterclockwise direction viewed from the top surface of the camerabody 21, a display screen depicted in FIG. 5C appears in which only thereproduced images PI, P2, P3, and P4 are displayed. This state is thereproducing mode. A plurality of reproduced images PI, P2, P3, and P4are displayed along the time axis.

FIGS. 5A-5C depict transitions of screens from the present to the pastthat take place when the time dial 22 is rotated in the counterclockwisedirection viewed from the top surface of the camera body 21. When thetime dial 22 is rotated in the clockwise direction viewed from the topsurface of the camera body 21, transitions of screens from the past tothe present take place. When the time dial 22 is rotated, the shootingmode and the reproducing mode can be switched as seamless operations.The rotating operation of the time dial 22, the mode switching, and theimage switching have an affinity with the user's conceptual model. Thus,they have an excellent operability. Instead, the shooting mode and thereproducing mode may be directly switched not through the co-existentstate thereof.

FIG. 6 shows transitions of operations that take place when the timedial 22 is rotated. When the time dial 22 is rotated in thecounterclockwise direction viewed from the top surface of the camerabody 21, the operations change from the top to the bottom shown in FIG.6. In contrast, when the time dial 22 is rotated in the clockwisedirection viewed from the top surface of the camera body 21, operationschange from the bottom to the top shown in FIG. 6. When the time dial 22is rotated for one step (at step S2) in the shooting mode (step S1) inwhich only the currently captured image R is displayed, the co-existentstate of the shooting mode and the reproducing mode in which both thecurrently captured image R and the reproduced image P are displayedtakes place (at step S3).

When the time dial 22 is rotated for one step at step S4, thereproducing mode in which only reproduced images are displayed takesplace (at step 85). When the time dial 22 is rotated for one step in thereproducing mode (at step 86), reproduced images are moved one by onealong the time axis and displayed (at step S7).

When the time dial 22 is rotated in the reverse direction (in thecounterclockwise direction viewed from the top surface of the camerabody 21) in the reproducing mode, images are changed from the past tothe latest along the time axis. When the time dial 22 is rotated for onestep at relatively low speed, images are moved for one position each.When the time dial 22 is rotated for one step at high speed, images maybe moved for a plurality of positions each.

When the time dial 22 is rotated in the reverse direction at high speed,in the state at step S5, the moving of images is momentarily stopped. Inother words, even if the time dial 22 is rotated, the moving ofreproduced images is stopped. After a momentary stop time elapsed, theco-existent state of the shooting mode and the reproducing mode of stepS3 takes place. Since the momentary stop state is provided, the user canknow that the reproducing mode is switched to the shooting mode. Sincethe moving of reproduced images stops for a short time, it does notprevent modes from being seamlessly switched.

To further improve the affinity with the user's conceptual model, it ispreferred that the shooting mode, the co-existent mode of the shootingmode and reproducing mode, and the reproducing mode be indicated withanimations corresponding to the operations of the time dial 22. FIGS.7A-7E depict examples of animations of transitions of screens.

When the time dial 22 is rotated for one step in the counterclockwisedirection viewed from the top surface of the camera body 21 while adisplay screen depicted in FIG. 7A appears on which only the currentlycaptured image R is displayed, a display screen depicted in FIG. 7C onwhich the currently captured image R and reproduced images PI and P2 aredisplayed appears through a transition display screen depicted in FIG.7B. On the transition display screen depicted in FIG. 7B between thedisplay screens of 7A and 7C. While the time dial 22 is being rotated,the currently captured image R is gradually moved rightward andreproduced images are gradually entered from the left.

When the time dial 22 is rotated for one more step, as displayed on [a]the transition display screen, depicted in FIG. 7D, the currentlycaptured image R is gradually moved rightward and exited from thedisplay frame SC. Thereafter, [a] the display screen depicted in FIG.7E, appears on which only the reproduced images PI, P2, and P3 aredisplayed as a reproducing mode. In the reproducing mode, a frame-shapedcursor denoted by solid lines indicates the reproduced image PI that isbeing currently focused. When the time dial 22 is rotated for one morestep, the reproduced image PI is exited from the screen and then thereproduced image P2 is focused.

As described above, when the time dial 22 is rotated, a plurality ofimages arranged one-dimensionally along the time axis are slid in thehorizontal direction of the display screen so that the currentlycaptured image R is followed by reproduced images.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 8A-8C, the case of which a cross key 27 isused will be described. FIG. 8A depicts a normal display screen thatappears when the power is turned on. A currently captured image R of anobject that is being captured through the lens and a reproduced image PIthat has been just captured and obtained are displayed so that thecurrently captured image R is followed by the reproduced image PI on theleft thereof and they do not overlap. Since the currently captured imageR and the reproduced image RI do not overlap, the currently capturedimage can be prevented from being obstructed by the reproduced image.The reproduced image PI is followed by a reproduced image P2 on the leftthereof

The display screen depicted in FIG. 8A on which the currently capturedimage R and reproduced images PI and P2 are displayed at the same timeis a co-existent state of the shooting mode and the reproducing mode. Inother words, when the shutter button 24 is pressed while the displayscreen depicted in FIG. 8A appears, a new image can be recorded and adesired image can be displayed as a reproduced image. Thus, while theuser is watching an image that has been just captured, he or she candecide a composition and so forth of an image that he or she will shoot.

When the shutter button 24 is pressed while the display screen of FIG.8a appears, animations of transitions to the display screen of FIG. 8cthrough a transition display screen of FIG. 8B appear. On the transitiondisplay screen of FIG. 8B, the size of the currently captured image R isgradually decreased and the currently captured image R is movedleftward. On the display screen of FIG. 8C, a currently captured imageR′ of the object is followed by a reproduced (recorded) image PO derivedfrom the captured image R on the left of the currently captured imageR′. The reproduced image PO is followed by a reproduced image PI on theleft thereof. The transition display screen of FIG. 8B appearsmomentarily. The animations of transitions allow the user to know thatthe currently captured image R was changed to the reproduced image PO.The display screen of FIG. 8C allows any of the shooting mode and thereproducing mode to take place.

FIGS. 9A-9B depict transitions of screens in the co-existent state ofthe shooting mode and the reproducing mode in which the currentlycaptured image R and the reproduced images PI and P2 are displayed atthe same time when a delete button 26 is pressed. When the delete button26 is pressed while the transition screen of FIG. 9A appears, atransition to the display screen of FIG. 9B takes place.

A frame shaped cursor C is displayed at a position corresponding to thereproduced image PI so that the cursor indicates that the reproducedimage PI has been selected. A deletion dialog 28 is displayed at theposition of the currently captured image R. When the left button of thecross key 27 is pressed, a reproduced image on the left of the cursor C(namely, a reproduced image earlier than the reproduced image at theposition of the cursor C) can be selected. The deletion dialog 28 has“delete” and “end” which can be selected by the up and down buttons ofthe cross key 27. The selected item is highlighted.

While the cursor C indicates the reproduced image PI and the “DELETE” ofthe deletion dialog 28 is highlighted on the display screen of FIG. 9B,when an “OK” key is pressed, the selected reproduced image PI isdeleted. When the left or right button of the cross key 27 is operated,an image to be deleted is selected. The “OK” key is a mechanical keydisposed on the camera body, a GUI key, a center portion of the crosskey 27, or the like. According to this embodiment of the presentinvention, a desired reproduced image (captured image) can be deletedwithout need to switch from the shooting mode to the reproducing mode.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B, another example of anoperation using the cross key 27 will be described. On the displayscreen shown in FIG. 10A, a currently captured image R and reproducedimages PI and P2 are displayed in the display frame SC of the LCD 13. Inother words, the display screen depicted in FIG. 10A is a co-existentstate of the shooting mode and the reproducing mode. When the menubutton 25 is pressed in this state, a menu with respect to the shootingmode is displayed in the display frame 13.

When the left button of the cross key 27 is pressed, the display screenof FIG. 10B appears in which the frame-shaped cursor C indicates thereproduced image PI. The state of which the reproduced image PI isselected is the reproducing mode. An arrow cursor is also displayedbeside the cursor C. The arrow cursor indicates that images on the leftcan be selected. When the menu button 25 is pressed in the reproducingmode, a menu with respect to the reproducing mode is displayed in thedisplay frame SC.

When the left button of the cross key 27 is pressed again, animations oftransitions appear in the display screen of FIG. 10D through thetransition display screen of FIG. 10C. The transition display screen ofFIG. 10C appears momentarily. On the display screen of FIG. 10D, thecurrently captured image R is exited from the display frame SC. Thecursor C indicates the reproduced image P2. Since reproduced images canbe switched in both the directions, arrow cursors are displayed on boththe sides.

When the left button of the cross key 27 is pressed again, animations oftransitions appear in the display screen of FIG. 10F through thetransition display screen of FIG. 10E. The transition display screen ofFIG. 10E appears momentarily. On the display screen of FIG. 10F, thecursor C indicates the reproduced image P3. Since reproduced images canbe switched in both the directions, arrow cursors are displayed on boththe sides.

With the cross key 27, modes can be seamlessly switched. In addition,images can be switched having an affinity with the user's conceptualmodel. In the reproducing mode, a reproduced image indicated by thecursor C can be displayed in an enlarged size or a reduced size.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 11A-11E and FIGS. 12A-12E, the reproducingmode will be described in detail. In the state that a desired reproducedimage is selected with the time dial 22 or the cross key 27, theselected image can be displayed in an enlarged size or a reduced size.

FIGS. 11A-11E depict a transition of screens when a reproduced image isdisplayed in an enlarged size. The display screen of FIG. 11A is thesame as the last display screen shown in FIG. 10E. First, a tele key or“OK” key is pressed. The tele key is a mechanical key disposed on thecamera body, a GUI key, or the like. The “OK” key is a mechanical keydisposed on the camera body, a GUI key, a center switch of the cross key27, or the like.

Animations of transitions of display screens occurs until [a] thedisplay screen of FIG. 11C appears through the transition display screenof FIG. 11B according to the operation of the tele key or the “OK” key.Enlarged reproduced images P21, P31, and P41 displayed on the transitiondisplay screen FIG. 11B are slightly larger than the original reproducedimages P2, P3, and P4, respectively. An enlarged reproduced image P32displayed at the center position on the display screen of FIG. 11C islarger than the reproduced image P31. When the selected reproduced imageP3 is displayed as an enlarged image P32, the contents of the reproducedimage P3 can be easily checked.

When the right button of the cross key 27 is pressed or the arrow cursor-> is pressed on the display screen of FIG. 11C, the cursor C is movedrightward and enlarged reproduced images are moved as files. As aresult, animations of transitions of display screens to a display screenof FIG. 11E appear through a transition display screen FIG. 11D. Theenlarged reproduced image P32 is displayed at the center position of thedisplay screen of FIG. 11E. Thus, enlarged images can be also moved asfiles.

FIG. 12 shows transitions of screens when an image is displayed in areduced size. The display screen of FIG. 12A is the same as the lastdisplay screen shown in FIG. 10F. First, a wide key or the “OK” key ispressed. The wide key is a mechanical key of the camera body, a GUI key,or the like. The “OK” keys is a mechanical key disposed on the camerabody, a GUI key, the center switch of the cross key 27, or the like.

Animations of transitions of display screens occurs until a displayscreen of FIG. 12C appears through the transition display screen FIG.12B according to the operation of the wide key or the “OK” key. Reducedreproduced images P13, P24, P33, P43, and P54 displayed on thetransition display screen of FIG. 12B are slightly smaller than originalreproduced images PI, P2, P3, and P4, respectively. A reduced reproducedimage P34 displayed at the center position on the display screen of FIG.12C is smaller than the reproduced image P33. When the selectedreproduced image P3 is displayed as the reduced image P34, the contentsof a plurality of reproduced images followed by and preceded by thereproduced image P3 can be easily checked.

When the left button of the cross key 27 is pressed or the arrow cursor<-is pressed on the display screen of FIG. 12C , the cursor C is movedleftward and reduced reproduced images are moved as files. As a result,animations of transitions of display screens to a display screen of FIG.12E appears through a transmission display screen of FIG. 12D. A reducedreproduced image P44 is displayed at the center position of the displayscreen of FIG. 12E. Thus, reduced images can be moved as files.

In the foregoing description, the display frame SC of the LCD 13 is anoblong wide screen. However, according to the present invention, an LCDhaving a display frame SC whose aspect ratio is (4:3) may be usedinstead of the wide screen. In FIG. 13, reference letter SC′ denotes adisplay frame whose aspect ratio is (4:3). FIG. 13A denotes a displayscreen that is a shooting mode. A currently captured image R of anobject through a lens is displayed nearly at the center portion of thedisplay frame Sc. When the shutter button 24 is pressed in the shootingmode, the object can be shot.

When the time dial 22 is rotated for one step in the counterclockwisedirection viewed from the top surface of the camera body 21, thecurrently captured image R is reduced and moved rightward. A reproducedimage PI captured immediately before the currently captured image R isdisplayed on the left thereof. The display screen of FIG. 13B on whichboth the currently captured image R and the reproduced image PI aredisplayed at the same time is a co-existent state of the shooting modeand the reproducing mode. While the user is watching an image that hasbeen lust captured, he or she can select a new image that he or she willshoot.

When the time dial 22 is rotated for one more step in thecounterclockwise direction viewed from the top surface of the camerabody 21, [a] the display screen of FIG. 13C appears on which onlyreproduced images PI, P2, and P3 are displayed. This state is thereproducing mode. A plurality of reproduced images PI, P2, and P3 aredisplayed along the time axis.

FIGS. 13A-13C depict transitions of screens from the present to the pastthat take place when the time dial 22 is rotated in the counterclockwisedirection viewed from the top surface of the camera body 21. When thetime dial 22 is rotated in the clockwise direction viewed from the topsurface of the camera body 21, transitions of screens from the past tothe present take place. When the time dial 22 is rotated, the shootingmode and the reproducing mode can be seamlessly switched.

The transitions of the shooting mode, the co-existent mode of theshooting mode and the reproducing mode, and the reproducing mode arerepresented by animations according to operations of the time dial 22.FIGS. 14A-14E depict examples of animations of transitions of screens.

When the time dial 22 is rotated for one step in the counterclockwisedirection viewed from the top surface of the camera body 21 on thedisplay screen of FIG. 14A on which only a currently captured image R isdisplayed, transitions of display screens through a transition displayscreen depicted in FIG. 14B to display screen of FIG. 14C take place onwhich the currently captured image R and reproduced images PI and P2 aredisplayed at the same time. While the time dial 22 is being rotated, thecurrently captured image R is gradually moved rightward and a reproducedimage is gradually entered from the left of the screen between thedisplay screens of FIG. 14A and FIG. 14C. The reproduced image PI isdisplayed adjacent to the currently captured image R on the displayscreen of FIG. 14C.

When the time dial 22 is rotated for one more step, the currentlycaptured image R is gradually moved rightward and exited from thedisplay frame SC′ as shown on a transition display screen of FIG. 14D.Thereafter, [a] the display screen of FIG. 14E appears. Only thereproduced images PI, P2, and P3 are displayed on the display screen ofFIG. 14E that is a reproducing mode. In the reproducing mode, aframe-shaped cursor denoted by solid lines indicates the reproducedimage PI that is being currently focused. When the time dial 22 isrotated for one more step, the reproduced image PI is exited from thescreen and the reproduced image P2 is focused (not shown).

The present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiment.Instead, various modifications and ramifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Forexample, the present invention is not limited to a digital camera thatrecords still images. Instead, the present invention may be applied toan imaging apparatus that records moving images and an imaging apparatusthat can record both still images and moving images. When a moving imageis recorded, for example the top image thereof is displayed on an LCD orthe like.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An Image display apparatus comprising: adisplay; a processing unit for controlling: a shooting mode fordisplaying, on the display, a first image of an object currently beingcaptured by an imaging unit; a reproducing mode for displaying, on thedisplay, at least one previously captured second image; and a shootingand reproducing co-existent mode for displaying, on the display, atleast part of the first image and at least part of the second image, thepart of the second image displayed having a vertical dimension smallerthan a vertical dimension of the part of the first image displayed,wherein a transition from the shooting mode to the reproducing mode isintermediated by the shooting and reproducing co-existent mode or atransition from the reproducing mode to the shooting mode isintermediated by the shooting and reproducing co-existent mode.
 2. Theimage display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first imageand the at least one second image are displayed on a time axis in theshooting and reproducing coexistent mode.
 3. The image display apparatusaccording to claim 2, further comprising: an input device configured toreceive a user input, wherein the first image and the at least onesecond image are scrolled along the time axis in response to the userinput.
 4. The image display apparatus according to claim 3, whereintransition from the shooting mode to the reproducing mode and transitionfrom the reproducing mode to the shooting mode are initiated in responseto receipt of user input by the input device.
 5. The image displayapparatus according to claim 4, wherein the transition from thereproducing mode to the shooting mode is intermediated by a momentarystop.
 6. The image display apparatus according to claim 3, wherein theinput device is a rotary dial.
 7. The image display apparatus accordingto claim 3, wherein the input device is a touch screen.
 8. A method ofcausing an image display apparatus to display at least one image,comprising: displaying, on a display, a first image of an objectcurrently being captured by an imaging unit, when a shooting mode isactive; displaying, on the display, at least one previously capturedsecond image, when a reproducing mode is active; displaying, on thedisplay, at least part of the first image and at least part of thesecond image, when a shooting and reproducing mode is active, the partof the second image displayed having a vertical dimension smaller than avertical dimension of the part of the first image displayed;intermediating, on the display, a transition from the shooting mode tothe reproducing mode with the shooting and reproducing co-existent mode;and intermediating, on the display, a transition from the reproducingmode to the shooting mode with the shooting and reproducing co-existentmode.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the first image andthe at least one second image are displayed on a time axis in theshooting and reproducing co-existent mode.
 10. The method according toclaim 9, further comprising: scrolling the first image and the at leastone second image along the time axis in response to receipt of a userinput at an input device, when the shooting and reproducing coexistentmode is active.